People visiting libraries in North Warwickshire will be able to learn the benefits of volunteer work.

Staff and volunteers from North Warwickshire Volunteer Bureau (NWVB), Millennium Volunteers and Beeline Community Transport will be at four libraries in the borough to promote unpaid community work during National Volunteering Week from June 1.

Details of a new volunteer's expenses bursary run by NWVB will also be available. The bursary is for people who are keen to volunteer but cannot because of travel or other costs their chosen group cannot repay.

The new bursaries will operate until the end of December 2003 and are funded with European Union money won by NWVB.

Volunteer bureau coordinator Jane White said: "We're looking forward to meeting lots more people who are interested in volunteering. We have a database with nearly 200 volunteering opportunities, so there really is something for everyone. We'll bring the database to the libraries so that people can

search for activities which really interest them.

"We've known that some people are unable to volunteer because of the costs involved. Most organisations will fully reimburse volunteers any outof-pocket expenses, but some simply cannot afford to do so.

"We hope the bursaries will help in those first few weeks and months of a volunteer's career. It's all about pulling down barriers which prevent people from volunteering."

Displays about volunteering will be at Baddesley, Dordon, Water Orton and Kingsbury libraries through the week. The displays will be manned by Millennium Volunteers at Baddesley library on June 2 (3pm to 5pm; Beeline and Millennium Volunteers at Water Orton library on June 4 (3pm to 5pm); NWVB at Dordon library on June 4 (3pm to 5pm); and at Kingsbury library on June 6 (3pm to 5pm).

Beeline Community Transport will also hold an open day at their office in Long Street from 9am to 1pm on Tuesday, June 3.